For more than a decade, a Lake Placid organization has been trying to get a statue placed outside of its Olympic Center – a way to honor the players who pulled off the 1980 Miracle on Ice.

This week, as the state kicks off its exploration of a future Olympic Games, it also helped ensure that project could reach its fundraising goals.

The year 2030 will mark the 50th anniversary of one of the greatest sports moment in our nation’s history: The Miracle on Ice. There will be a big celebration for sure, but with a little help from folks in New York City. Not only is New York state looking at another Olympic Games, but Lake Placid is now one step closer to cementing that history.

“I was working at the Varsity Pizzeria at Syracuse University,” Gov. Kathy Hochul remembered. “I was announcing the play-by-play of the Miracle on Ice.”  

Pretty much everyone who was alive remembers exactly where they were, what they were doing on Feb. 22, 1980.

“I was, like, a big celebrity because I knew the score and I was telling everybody,” Hochul added.

It’s hard to believe, but it’s been 46 years since that game, the one that changed everything. It’s why a group based in Lake Placid, where the Miracle happened, has been trying to get a statue built outside of the Olympic Center downtown. It’s to honor the moment and make sure it’s never lost to history.

“We actually started in 2015 on the project, and it’s just so well deserved,” Jeff Potter said.

Potter helps run the Monument to a Miracle organization and was in Manhattan Monday for the announcement of the state’s exploratory committee for the 2042 Olympic Games, which New York hopes will be shared by New York City and Lake Placid.

But what he didn’t know…

“Is Jeff Potter here?” the governor asked the audience.

Monday was also about helping ensure this $5 million monument gets built in time for 2030, the 50th anniversary of the game. The state is pitching in half the cost.

“Here today, I’m announcing $2.5 million to complete the monument, Jeff,” the governor said.

‘We were floored when we got the news, and this makes it all the more real for us,” Potter added.

There’s still money to be raised, but today, the organization is on track to unveil that monument on time. A team that inspired a nation in need, and now continues to do just that.

As part of the project, a statue of 1980 speed skating hero Eric Heiden will also be built and placed at the nearby oval downtown.